FROM THE KWHI NEWSROOM

It was two years ago, today, that Ms. Lopez picked up her two and a half year old daughter from the woman charged with caring for her, Berny Figueroa. Figueroa was running an unlicensed day care center in Brenham, but Sandra and Manuel Lopez, trusted her, considered her a friend, and placed Alexia in her care. That day, Alexia was suffering from stomach pains and she was vomiting. Alexia’s condition was getting worse and they took her to the emergency room of the Trinity Medical Center, where she died about an hour later. An autopsy revealed that Alexia had been punched in the stomach so hard that her liver was severed.

At first, Brenham police were concerned that Sandra and Manuel had abused their daughter and they questioned them. Within a few days it became clear that the chief suspect was the babysitter, Berny Figueroa. Figueroa was questioned in the death of Alexia but, when she was named as the chief suspect, she disappeared and has not been seen since.

The search has continued and has even been featured on an episode of America’s Most Wanted on Fox Television. Sandra Lopez has noted the past two years and all the heart break she has dealt with, knowing only that Figueroa will be found.

Manuel and Sandra Lopez are mourn for Alexia while
searching for her killer.

As Sandra Lopez mentioned, her faith has helped in these troubled two years. She, her husband Manuel, and the Washington County Victim’s Task Force are holding a Memorial Candlelight Vigil in honor of Alexia, Saturday morning at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 2310 Airline. The vigil begins at 10:30am. The public is invited.

BLINN ISSUES $20 MILLION IN BONDS

(MARCH 11TH, 2010)

Blinn College will use $20.155 million in bonds to pay for new student housing, a new agriculture center and the expansion of the band hall on the Brenham campus.

The bonds will pay for new student housing, among
other things.

The Blinn Board issued the bonds at their meeting Wednesday night and they got a good deal. With an ‘A2’ rating from Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s, college financial advisor Steven Adams, of Specialized Public Finance Incorporated of Dallas, said that the College would get a 3.97 percent interest rate on the bonds from Morgan Keegan and Co., Incorporated. Moody’s noted that there was a healthy market as a two-year college with growing enrollment and close ties to Texas A&M Univesity’s College Station campus. They also said there was a consistent trend of healthy operations with an average three year operating margin of 7.8 percent providing a healhty 1.9 times average debt service coverage. The bonds was tuition based bonds. Standard and Poor’s also noted the strong overall enrollment growth and the ties to Texas A&M. The bonds will be paid off in just over 22 years, in August of 2032, at a final cost of $30.8 million. The annual payments would be roughly $500,000 a year.

The bonds were sold with ‘bidder’s option’ bond insuranced provided by Assured Guaranty. The cost of the insurance is paid by the winning bidder.

The work on the projects the bonds will pay for should begin in the summer and the new student housing should be ready in the school year beginning in 2011. This $10 million student housing facility would have 300 beds.

The board authorized the Administration to negotiate for professional services related to geotechnical Investigations, that is, to see what kind of soil the structures will be built on. Later the board tabled a motion to negotiate for site selection for the expansion of the band hall and the new agriculture facility.

Steven Adams of the Specialized Public Finance.

ALLIED HEALTH INSTRUCTORS NEEDED

(MARCH 11TH, 2010)

Dr. Tina Parrott, the division head of the Blinn College Allied Health programs told the Blinn Board last night that the instructors in the program need to be paid more, saying that they often teach students who become registered nurses who end up making much more than they do within just a few years.

Dr. Parrott noted that there remains a critical shortage of nurses and other health care workers in the United States and Texas, and in this region. Even at that Parrott said that the Blinn program can only admit about one-forth or one half of the qualified applicants they receive. She says there is a shortage of instructors because they can get paid more working directly in the health care field. She said they cannot increase the numbers of students in the programs, to meet public demands, without a qualified and well-paid faculty. She said that the average instructor in the Blinn Allied Health Programs are receiving $48,000 a year in salary while new health care workers at St. Joseph’s Health Center in Bryan receive $45,000 a year and $49,920 in three years. A new registered nurse at the Trinity Medical Center gets $23.99 an hour adding up to $49,899 a year.

The Blinn Board agreed to an undetermined increase in salaries for the instructors. Dr. Parrott said the amount will be determined later.

LANDS PROGRAM

(MARCH 11TH, 2010)

Eighth grade advanced science students learned a lot of things about white tail deer this week during a field day at the Washington County Fairgrounds.

This deer study is an extension of the L.A.N.D.S, or Learning Across New Dimensions of Science curriculum provided to the district by the White Tail Deer Association.

One of the authors of this material is a local veterinarian, Dr. Bill Eikenhorst. He, along with the Washington County Agrilife Extension Agent Larry Pierce, and NRCS representative Veronica O’Donnell have worked with the junior high science students for the past three years. Allision Bentke, the 8^th grade advanced science teacher, combined interest and skil to develop the deer study as an extension of the quail study done in the seventh grade. Volunteer instructors from as far away as San Antonio and San Angelo, combined their efforts with local instructors, master naturalists and Blinn College Naturalist Club Members and their sponsor, to show students how the deer adapations and habitat are related.

The Brenham ISD has the distinction of being the model for the state in bringing in this kind of hands on, minds on instruction to the students. The TWA, the Texas Wildlife Association brought in a video crew to film the even to show their membership what a Field Day is like. Students and instructors were interviewed and lots of film was taken. The school district is looking forward to the finished product.

BEST LITTLE COWBOY GATHERING

(MARCH 11TH, 2010)

Cathy Chaloupka of the Rural Texas Tourism Council says that ‘Best Little Cowboy Gathering,’ on Friday and Saturday at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in La Grange celebrates the pioneers, the cowboys, who came to this region ‘facing the unknown.’

Chaloupka says this is time to dust off your boots for music with Jake Hooker and the Outsiders performing at the Little Cowgirls Ball on Friday night and continuing through Saturday with all time favorites including Jett Williams, Hank Williams Sr., daughter, Darell McCall, and the Quebe Sisters, who are returning by popular demand.

Chaloupka says that there is a lot more than music.

Chaloupka says the Dutch oven demonstration gives that cowboy cooking experience. She explains that a Dutch oven is a large, heavy iron pot or kettle, usually of cast iron with a tight lid used for slow cooking.

Also celebrating the spirit of the Old West is a new attraction, the Brazos Bottom Cowographers, an entertainment group that will perform cowboy re-enactments three times on Saturday.

Advanced tickets are $25 for a two day pass or $20 a day at the gate.

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RISE ACROSS TEXAS RIDES THROUGH BRENHAM

(MARCH 10TH, 2010)

A contingent of bicylists got an early start from Brenham on their way to Austin Tuesday to help raise funds for Rise Across Texas Campaign.

The cyclists spent the night at the Comfort Inn, had a quick breakfast before heading on to the state capital to meet one of their biggest supporters and help celebrate his birthday. That supporter is Gov. Rick Perry.

That is only part of their journey across Texas that began in Orange and will eventually end some 850 miles away in Presidio.

Donna Hicks of Rise Across Texas says they have several schools for ‘developmentally delayed children’ who are getting prepared to go to main stream schools. She says former Alabama football coach Gene Stallings began the Rise Schools because of his own son with Down’s Syndrome. She says these schools offer all sorts of help with these special needs children.

The Rise Across Texas Campaigns is making a 850 mile
journey across Texas.

The cyclists had a breakfast with Mayor Milton Tate and other city and county officials were there for the send off.

For more information on the Rise Across Texas Challenge you can log on to riseacrosstexas.org.

CAMP FOR ALL HILLTOP BIKE RIDE

(MARCH 10TH, 2010)

Once again the Annual Camp For All Hilltop Bike Ride is coming up.

The Camp for All Hilltop Bike Ride, benefitting Camp for All, to help raise money, awareness and support in order to continue offering fun and educational camps in a barrier-free environment for children and adults with challenging illnesses and needs is coming up Saturday, April 3^rd.

The participants can join in a 22, 39, or 64 mile bike ride through the rolling hills of Washington County, starting from Camp For All. The ride, sponsored in part by Blue Bell Creameries, is a BP MS 150 recommended ride.

The cost per person is $50.

The riders meet at Camp for All at 6301 Rehburg Road in Burton and the bike ride begins at eight am.

Camp for All helps people with special challenges discover life through learning what they can do, as opposed to what they can’t do. It is recognized as a national leader for creating and providing proven life-changing experiences through a passionate and professional staff, cutting edge facilities and innovative programming. Working in collaboration with 56 other non-profit organizations, Camp For All enriches the lives of more than 7000 children and adults with challenging illnesses and their families throughout the year.

For more information about Camp For All log on to www.campforall.org.

COMMISSIONERS PREPARE FOR COURTHOUSE SHUT DOWN

(MARCH 10TH, 2010)

The Washington County Commissioners are preparing for a complete two day shut down of the county courthouse next week.

The electricity will be shut off, along with all the county’s computers while maintenance crews repair and replace a transformer under the courthouse next Monday and Tuesday. That means all of the bills need to be paid before the end of the week. When the county commissioners met Tuesday morning they voted to give County Treasurer Norman Draehn the power to pay all the necessary bills next week.

BACK YARD DRUG BUST

(MARCH 10TH, 2010)

A Brenham resident disturbed at seeing a man walking through his backyard late last night (Monday), led to a drug bust for a 23-year old Brenham man.

The call came from a residence in the 1300 block of Pecan Drive. Officers found the man, questioned him and discovered he was wanted on marijuana possession warrants in Waller County. A search on his person discovered that he had a small amount of cocaine on him as well. Police then arrested Anthony Byron Jones on both the warrant and the cocaine charge.

COMPUTER HELPERS BREAK IN

(MARCH 10TH, 2010)

Brenham police are investigating another burglary of the Computer Helpers Shop in the 2300 block of South Day. The burglary was discovered Monday. Police reports say that the locking system was somehow disabled and the burglars got away with an undetermined amount of cash and a laptop belonging top a customer. The investigation continues.

ONE PERCENT INTEREST RATE ON SCHOOL BONDS

(MARCH 9TH, 2010)

The Brenham School District will be getting a $4.2 million loan with only one percent interest to make major changes and improvements to Cubs Stadium and Brenham High School, that include an artificial turf, a new track at the stadium and chillers for the air conditioning system at the High School.

Steven Perry of the Wells/Nelson and Associates Investment Bankers told the Brenham School Board Monday night that the district has one of the very best credit and bond ratings from Moody’s that allows the district to pay back the bonds at one percent interest with payments of $300,000 a year. Paying off this Qualified School Construction Bond should take fourteen years.

Steven Perry of Wells/Nelson Investment Bankers
told the Board that are getting a newly perfect
interest rate.

The Brenham School Board agreed to seek out bids for the project through sealed proposals which, according to Assistant Superintendent Byron McAdamsm, would give the district the best value. McAdams outlined the criteria for choosing the contractors for the projects on scales that measure base bids, their ability to finish the product, their work history, costs and safety record.

McAdams says the District should have the bids for the chiller at the high school in on March 25^th and bids for the track and field in on March 31^st.

The work on the artificial turf would begin one week after graduation and would be finished the last week of August. McAdams noted that the first two football games for the Brenham Cubs this year are away games. The chillers, essential for the air conditioning system would be done by July 20^th.

TWO FILE FOR BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD

(MARCH 9TH, 2010)

There will be a Brenham School Board election, along with a Blinn College election on May 8^th.

As the deadline to file came Monday, two men filed to run in the Brenham School Board election.

One time school board member, and Brenham businessman Carey Counsil is going for another term on the board. Counsil had one term on the board from 2005 to 2008, before he was defeated by Ray Weiss. Counsil filed for the position six on the Brenham School Board Monday. He will be running against incumbent Vance Hamilton.

Position Seven School Board Member Melvin Ehlert also picked up a challenger during the last day to file. James Dennis filed for the seat on the last filing date.

Malisa Hampton will not have an opponent and has now been automatically elected.

The Blinn Board will also have an election on May 8^th. Brenham banker Doug Borchardt announced and filed for the seat now held by Don Jones.

The Brenham School Board agreed last night to hold their elections jointly with Blinn College and the city of Brenham. It appears that there is no need for a Brenham City Election as no one filed except incumbents Andrew Ebel and Gloria Nix.

Early voting in the May 8^th elections will begin April 26^th at the county commissioners courtroom and will continue through May 4^th.

There will be four polling sites open on Election Day. Ward One voters will vote at the Nancy Carol Roberts Library, Ward Two votes at the Alton Elementary School, Ward three votes at Brenham Junior High School Band Hall and Ward Four votes at the Blinn College Gym.

PROPOSED CHANGES IN HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE

(MARCH 9TH, 2010)

Brenham High School Principal Steve Sklar told the Brenham School Board Monday night that since the school adopted the current form of ‘block scheduling’ sixteen years ago, the state has required more credits to graduate, developed several different graduation plans, instituted the four by four plan for the study of science and math, while the district and Blinn College increased the number of dual credit courses.

That’s why, he said in a lengthy presentation during last night’s meeting, it’s time to change the class schedules for Brenham High Schoolers.

BHS Principal Steve Sklar proposes changes.

The changes essentially changes the ‘A-B’ Block scheduling in which the students have a different class schedule from day to day. Sklar says that the A-B block schedules, as they currently are, keeps students from taking all the courses they need when the new 26 credits requirement and also stresses the teachers who often have to teach from eight am to 3:30 in the afternoon.

The proposed new schedule means that all freshman and sophomore students would take eight classes. If they fail one class they will have to take eight classes during their junior year.

The first period would be from 7:45 to 8:55am, which includes ten minutes more for the announcements. All class periods during the day are an hour and a half after that. The students will still have A days and B days, under the new schedule. Sklar said the first class and the last class of each day will be the same, with the three classes in between changing, depending on the day.

The new schedule proposal would also ‘unblock’ extra-curricular activities from athletics, band, drill team and other activities. Previously such activities were ‘double blocked’ which means the students spend the last two periods of each day with those activities. This, Sklar says would allow students to take another class.

Members of the school board wanted to further consider this proposal and the board will meet again on March 29^th to make a decision.